by Sheila Zhang

In a previous blog, I started explaining how to perform complex data transfers. When you need to manipulate the source data much to fit the destination -- such as the ETL process (extract – transform – load) -- you can use SSDT (SQL Server Data Tool) to develop a SSIS solution.

The development language of SSIS is different from other development languages that need you to type multiple lines of codes. In most cases, you create a virtual diagram with a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor. The diagram displays your operating flow. At each step, you configure the conditions that allow the step to process.

Follow these steps to create a new SSIS project with SSDT (SQL Server Data Tool). SSDT is a special version of Visual Studio.

1. Create a new project in Visual Studio 2010.
2. Under Installed Templates, select Integration Services -> Integration Services Project.
3. Given the name to the new project, and then click OK.

Once you create the project, you can see the flow controls in SSIS Toolbox on the left.

Simply drag a control and drop it on the Control Flow panel. To duplicate the import/export wizard, you simply drag a data flow task to control flaw panel.

And then add a source control and a destination control to data flow panel.

The source’s configuration can be a database table.

To configure destination file, you need to complete two settings:

1.       File location, and format and columns:

2.       Next, map the fields between the source data table and destination file.

Now, you can run the package. A green check mark shows successful operations. If you see a red X mark on some steps, that means the step failed.

This is a very simple SSIS package.  This might give you an idea how complex a process can be.

Here is how to visualize it.